The Global Story Australia’s mushroom killer trial
18 snips
Oct 9, 2025 
BBC's Katy Watson, an expert reporter on Australia and the Pacific Islands, delves into the sensational tale of Erin Patterson, known as the ‘mushroom murderer.’ Watson outlines the twists of a trial that has captivated a nation, from the shocking meal that led to deadly poisoning to the media frenzy surrounding the case. She discusses the implications of the true-crime industry's growth, family dynamics at play, and the ongoing appeals that could reshape Erin's fate. It's a gripping insight into a murder that has become a cultural phenomenon.
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The Fatal Family Lunch
- Erin Patterson invited her estranged husband, his parents and aunt and uncle to lunch claiming she needed to discuss health issues.
- Simon Patterson withdrew at the last minute saying he felt uncomfortable attending.
Dish Choice Became Central
- The meal included individual beef wellingtons, which commonly contain mushrooms under the pastry.
- That dish choice later became central because the mushrooms were the poisoning vector.
Guests Fell Ill Then Died
- After the lunch all four guests fell violently ill with vomiting and diarrhea and were sent to hospital.
- Within a week three of them had died and relatives realised a pattern linking illness to Erin's house visits.